Geelong set to welcome back Jeremy Cameron for qualifying final against Collingwood
Geelong is set to welcome back a host of big names, including All-Australian forward Jeremy Cameron, for its qualifying final clash against Collingwood on Saturday.
Cameron, who has been fighting a hamstring strain, is likely to be joined by Rhys Stanley (adductor), Mitch Duncan (hip), Cam Guthrie (shoulder) and the rested Sam Menegola as potential inclusions to Chris Scott's side.
The 29-year-old has not played since Geelong's win over the Suns in round 22, but is tracking well ahead of Saturday's big final, according to teammate Tom Hawkins, who spoke with reporters on Monday.
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"I'm not exactly sure how we're going to line up on Saturday night," he said.
Jeremy Cameron has enjoyed an outstanding season, kicking 59 goals in 21 appearances for Geelong Getty
"What I do know is those that have missed time with injury trained well today. From my point of view, I think they'll be OK to play."
Despite finishing the home and away season in fine fashion with 13 consecutive wins, Geelong faces the task of overturning a poor finals run in recent years.
Since Chris Scott took over the Cats and won the premiership in 2011, Geelong has struggled mightily in the post-season, winning just 10 out of its 25 finals.
The Cats are just 2-8 in the first week of finals in Scott's tenure, with Saturday's opponent Collingwood inflicting some of that damage.
Tom Hawkins (L), Tyson Stengle (C) and Jeremy Cameron (R) have formed a lethal forward trio this year Getty
Geelong and Collingwood last squared off in a qualifying final in 2019, with the then-fourth-placed Magpies beating the ladder-leading Cats by 10 points.
Nathan Buckley, who was Collingwood's coach during that finals clash, outlined the importance of the start of the game for the Cats ahead of this weekend's match.
"There is a psychological element to this and it will be spoken about as we get closer to the game," he told SEN.
"Eight times Chris Scott has put his side in the top four, that's pretty amazing, and it either sets up your September (if you win) or makes it bloody impossible (if you lose).
Steele Sidebottom celebrates after Collingwood beat Geelong in the 2019 qualifying final Getty
"I do see it as a 50-50 game. The last time Collingwood met Geelong in this game was in 2019 and it was Collingwood as the fourth placed side and Geelong as the first placed side – and they got jumped.
"They were five goals behind five minutes into the second quarter.
"Geelong worked their way back into the game, but it was a narrow 10-point loss. Last year against Port Adelaide, they were jumped. They were five goals down at half-time.
"It's going to be crucial for Geelong to get into this game quickly and earlier. I think they have a more sustainable mindset in regards to taking the game to the opposition offensively than they've had in these previous years and I think we're going to know about that attitude in the first five to 10 minutes."
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